Stirling’s Head of Golf captains Great Britain and Ireland for second time at Walker Cup

University of Stirling Head of Golf Dean Robertson will this weekend lead Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) into the prestigious Walker Cup for the second time.

The Walker Cup is the premier team match in men’s amateur golf – pitting GB&I’s leading players against their counterparts from the United States – and is typically contested biennially. However, with the competition moving to even-numbered years, Dean – who captained the team on American soil last summer – has the unique opportunity to lead them again in Ireland just 12 months later.

The 51^st staging of the match will take place at Lahinch Golf Club, along the Atlantic coastline of County Clare, on Saturday and Sunday (5-6 September). Dean will hope his team can avenge their defeat at Cypress Point Club, California, last year where the United States won 17-9.

Dean Robertson (centre) pictured with his GB&I team at the 2026 Walker Cup. Photo credit: Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “The Walker Cup is one of amateur golf's most prestigious events, providing a platform for many of the world's finest emerging golfers to showcase their talent.

“Dean's pivotal role in supporting and developing these athletes is a testament to his expertise, leadership, and proven ability to help shape the next generation of golfing stars. Dean is a world-class coach and leader, and we wish him every success as his team take on USA this weekend.”

Known for its strategic layout, natural dunes and coastal conditions, Lahinch offers a tough links test. For this year’s encounter, Dean’s GB&I team comprises: Eliot Baker, Ben Bolton, Sam Easterbrook, Connor Graham, Stuart Grehan, Josh Hill, Luke Poulter, Niall Sheils Donegan, Tyler Weaver and Jack Whaley.

The United States team, captained by Nathan Smith, is made up of: Preston Stout, Tyler Watts, Ethan Fang, Miles Russell, Kihei Akina, Ryder Cowan, Josiah Gilbert, William Jennings, Stewart Hagestad and Jay Leng Jr.

Value

Speaking ahead of the competition getting under way, Dean revealed that building a shared identity has been a primary focus for him, as GB&I bid to win the Cup for the first time since 2015. To support that togetherness, he has encouraged every squad member to take active ownership in the team room, supported by guest speakers including University of Stirling graduate and Paralympian Scott Meenagh and former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. 

“Everyone has a responsibility within, whether it be course knowledge or who’s in charge of the music playlist or the entertainment, the games; they all have little roles to play and it has brought them all together.

“Scott Meenagh served in Afghanistan and shared a deeply humbling story about purpose and being part of a team, which brought massive value to the players.”

Organised by the R&A and the United States Golf Association, the Walker Cup began in 1922. Selection to play in the historic match is often regarded as the highlight of an amateur’s career – many of whom go on to turn professional. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickleson and Dustin Johnson are among the top professionals to have played in the competition while amateurs.

Dean Robertson

As an amateur, Dean won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 1991, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 1992, and the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993. He competed at the 1993 Walker Cup, at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, where he won his singles match against Jay Sigel – but, in a one-sided affair, GB&I lost the competition 19-5.

As a professional, Dean won the European Tour’s Italian Open in 1999 and the Scottish PGA Championship in 2006. He also competed in The Open Championship on four occasions, with his best finish being tied 26th at St Andrews in 2000.

He has led the high-performance golf programme at Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – since 2010. During his tenure, he has developed some of the country’s most promising golfing talent. In recent years, highlights have included scholars Lorna McClymont and Louise Duncan joining the professional Ladies European Tour.

Scholars have also enjoyed international success under Dean’s leadership – being selected for major team competitions, including the Arnold Palmer Cup, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy; competing in competitions across Europe and the United States. Notably, in 2009, Dean was Head Coach of the Arnold Palmer Cup Team. Graduates of the University programme have also competed in the Walker Cup: Colin Dalgleish, Gordon Sherry, Richie Ramsay, Gavin Dear, Jack McDonald and Cormac Sharvin.

Excellence

The University of Stirling is UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide) and Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include golf, tennis, triathlon, football, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.